'So, the Commissioner's asked for Makepeace to be his bag carrier,' Bradshaw smirked. 'Senior role for the lady lots of high profile, lots of noses out of joint from the other candidates.'

Dempsey heard the gossip and a number of salacious suggestions about how she'd got the job. Harry was a good cop, nobody ever said that first. He gave Chas the roster and looked over at Steve. 'The D.I. is highly qualified for that role and the Commissioner needs to make the Met look like an organisation in which women can succeed, cos look around you, there ain't a lot of female officers.'

'We've got a few female candidates for our next intake,' Chas said wryly knowing Dempsey's views on women on the front line, 'maybe we should take a lead, Harry and Joyce worked out okay.'

'Except for when Joyce was nearly crippled and Harry got abducted by that serial killer, never want to live through that again,' Dempsey growled as he lit up a slim cigar. 'I will of course be totally impartial as to my recruitment process.'

All the guys sniggered at that. Bradshaw looked over, 'well I wouldn't mind going undercover if the bird looked like Harry, bet they're all built like brick shithouses.'

'D.I. Makepeace was a very skilled undercover operative,' Dempsey growled, 'she was one in a million,' he took up the C.V.s of the new recruits. 'Chas, have you looked through these?'

The Glaswegian nodded, 'the most promising are at the top of the pile and that includes two female constables that have exemplary records and one Detective Sergeant also female who is very promising, we'd be lucky to have her.'

'Thanks,' the Chief Inspector didn't look too pleased to hear that, 'he knew Spikings had had a number of sleepless nights over Harry and Joyce and he wasn't looking forward to that experience. He was a fair man, but he was still old school when it came to sending women operatives onto the front line.

-oOo—

Harry stiffened her spine as her ex-partner gave her the usual masculine appraisal as she entered his office in her uniform, as the Commissioner's right hand she was no longer allowed to dress in civvies.

'Suits you, the uniform,' he leaned back in his chair and lit a cigar, 'I ain't seen you in a while what've you been up to besides your stellar rise within the ranks.'

'Well, you're seeing me now, I've come to take you away from all this as I need a male escort for a ball the Commissioner's asked me too and I need a boyfriend.'

'Why, is he getting handsy,' Dempsey took a drag on the cheroot and observed her with warm affection.

'I'm sure you've heard the gossip as to how I got the job,' Harry responded dryly. 'And since you're very aware that I wouldn't trade favours for favours I thought you could help me establish that I've got a man and nobody would think James Dempsey would allow his lady to stray as it were.'

'It will just confirm all the gossip about the two of us but I'm game if you are,' he leant forward and his gaze held hers. 'I guess there's no boyfriend then, you must have hit a dry spell if you're asking me.'

'There's nobody I'd rather have as my significant other, you know that Dempsey.' Her blue eyes met the challenge in his. 'Your used to pretending to be my boyfriend or husband so you're the best choice.'

'Okay, so is it black tie and what time,' he was enjoying this cos he'd missed having Harry around and strictly speaking they were fine to date now as they were no longer working together.

'7pm, Freddie's chauffeur will drive us to the event, he'll come for me first and we'll pick you up on route. Thank you, James, I appreciate it.'

'No problem,' he noticed she hadn't asked him if there was a girlfriend that would be annoyed if he had Harry on his arm. But on the other hand, his girlfriends were usually just passing through as there was only one woman he wanted in his life on a permanent basis and she'd just asked him to be her boyfriend.

-oOo—

Harry got ready with a lot of care, she always liked to look nice and took a pride in her appearance. Her mind moved to Dempsey, he looked good in formal evening wear and he had an air of authority due to his success as a senior policeman. He wasn't at all impressed with the top brass but had learned a certain amount of diplomacy over the years. Spikings and Harry had been his tutors and had somewhat tamed the beast. That wasn't to say his rather aggressive character didn't appear now and then and he certainly ran a tight ship at SI10 because he knew all the ruses and knew when his officers were trying to pull a fast one.

She smoothed the midnight blue dress over her hips and then picked up her diamond earrings and put them on, the severity of the dress and the sparkle of the diamonds worked together well as did the low back of the dress contrasted to the high front. Her hair was up and had a few tendrils, escaping, she was pleased with the overall effect. The doorbell rang and she opened it expecting the chauffeur, 'Dempsey,' she said with surprise, 'the car was supposed to pick you up.'

'I talked to your Pop and told them to pick me up here,' he handed her a single red rose and a bottle of expensive champagne. 'Thought we should practice the cover,' his gaze ran over her. 'How long have we been dating…

'I thought a year would be about right because that would be a suitable time after we'd stopped being partners.'

'Yeah, that was my guess,' he accepted a glass of champagne from her. 'And when did we realise that we couldn't live without each other?'

'Well, we missed not being together on a daily basis and we started off as friends and then the relationship gradually changed.' Harry said in a calm manner. Her blue eyes searched his to see if that worked.

'I do miss working with you on a daily basis,' he came up to her his gaze warm as it wandered over her, 'you used to brighten up my day.'

'Hmm… She sipped her champagne. 'I miss you too,' she responded pleasantly. 'Although I have to say my present position is probably a better career move,' she said dryly thinking of all the times Dempsey had got her into difficult situations. 'Well now you're not working with a maverick you're dating one,' he smiled. 'Still, they made me a Chief Inspector so I can't be all bad.'

'Yes, well they only did that because your results are better than those of the other divisions. The Commissioner waxes lyrical about SI10 and if anything, tricky comes in he sends it your way.'

'You mean if the other bozos can't work out the obvious it comes my way,' he took a sip of champagne. 'I'm good at what I do.'

The doorbell rang and Harry picked up her wrap only to have it taken off her by her 'boyfriend' as he placed it over her shoulders.

The blonde was surprised at the gesture but she didn't say anything, she supposed that Dempsey wouldn't be treating her like one of the boys tonight. She couldn't lie to herself she liked the attention.

'After you my lady,' his voice was deliberately lowered cos he knew that got to Harry and a smile tugged at his lips as he followed her out to the car.

-oOo—

Harry was rather seduced by the charm offensive from her ex-partner, he was certainly attentive but it was subtly done. He didn't make any grand displays of affection to embarrass her but he was always physically in contact with her, holding her hand or guiding her with his touch just below her waist. She felt herself opening up like a flower to the attention and realised it had been far too long since she'd had a male partner.

'It's a very classy affair,' he murmured as he took her onto the dance floor, 'surprised the police force coughed up for this.'

'It's a police charity,' she informed him, 'the tickets are expensive and they provide funds for injured officers, widows and orphans.'

'The Commissioner just got here, he ain't got a date though and he's looking round for someone and guess what, it's you.' Dempsey had a bad feeling about this, had the Commissioner come alone with the purpose of romancing the blonde.

Harry gave a small sigh of annoyance; her suspicions had been correct then and she certainly hoped Dempsey would provide the necessary discouragement.'

'Chief Inspector Dempsey, I hadn't expected to see you here, not quite your sort of thing,' the Commissioner said jovially.

'I've got an eclectic taste and anyway Harry drags me to a lot of balls so I've gotten used to it, worthy charity,' he added his gaze steady on the other man's.

'I hadn't realised that you two…. The Commissioner left the question up in the air.

'When the princess moved out of SI10 I kind of missed her funny face so eventually I drummed up the courage to ask her for a date, that was about a year ago.'

'Eleven months,' Harry corrected with a smile, 'it only seems like yesterday. Is your wife attending the ball sir?' It was odd that the Commissioner had come on his own.

'She has another engagement, I'm joining her there later but duty must come first,' he smiled. 'Perhaps I can engage you for a dance Detective Inspector Makepeace,' he smiled emolliently.

'Of course,' she returned politely and hoped that the Commissioner would get involved in the duties he'd come here to perform, and she'd be able to avoid it.

'No wife, and comes straight over to you and then asks me my business, what's going on?' Dempsey looked down at her, was there something she hadn't told him?

'I was hoping I'd imagined it but I think the Commissioner possibly fancies me which is awkward.' That was the understatement of the year.

'I think he's definitely fancies you,' he instinctively pulled her closer, 'that's gonna be more than awkward if you have the little office next to him and he goes for it.'

'I'm sure he won't,' Harry looked troubled.

'And you look really hot in the uniform, especially the black stockings,' Dempsey added his own views on Harry's current work apparel. 'I mean you don't get many officers that look the way you do.'

'A minute ago, I had a funny face and now I'm some kind of stripogram,' Harry was at her sarcastic best.

'Nah, they have shorter skirts and blouses that rip off,' he grinned down at her. 'I'll cut in if he gets too close, try and claim him for a rock and roll number and then he can't get you in a clinch.'

'It's not funny, Dempsey,' she responded looking as awkward as she felt. 'I mean he's my boss, it's very difficult.'

'Tell him I'm a jealous lover,' he offered as his gaze ran over her in the dress, he didn't really want the senior officer to get his hands on Harry so there was a certain amount of truth in that.

'You've never seemed to be particularly jealous or proprietorial about the ladies you date,' she searched his gaze.

'It depends doesn't it,' his dark gaze dropped to her mouth and he took in the temptation of her lips, 'I want to kiss you,' his head descended and he gave a soft groan as his mouth met hers.

Harry felt as if she'd totally misread Dempsey's offer of help because he seemed to be enjoying the role of her faux boyfriend rather too much. Out of the fat and into the fire came to mind.

When he raised his head, he could see he'd shocked Harry, 'I've wanted to do that for a long time,' he ran his tongue over his bottom lip tasting her.

The way he did that made Harry's hormones riot. 'I feel slightly wrong footed,' she admitted honestly. 'I thought you were helping me out as a friend.

'Nope I got the hots for you too, princess. And everything I said to the Commissioner is true and if he makes a play for you, I'll knock his damned head off.'

'James, this is not helpful,' Harry looked up at him appealing to his better nature. She could see from his expression that in this case he actually didn't have one.

'He's coming over,' Dempsey informed her. 'I'll go and talk to the band.' The American went over and was in deep discussion with the band leader.

Three rock and roll numbers followed with Harry being spun round like a top by the Commissioner who was an adept dancer.

Dempsey didn't interfere cos the guy couldn't exactly get into a clinch with her cos the dance didn't give him the opportunity. When the third dance ended, he could see Harry was out of breath and he went and claimed her.

'The guy can certainly shake a leg,' he laughed at her expression if looks could kill he'd have a label on his toe. 'Maybe one of those could be your song,' he suggested with a grin.

'I'm exhausted and in need of a strong drink,' she informed him in a terse tone. 'This evening has been one challenge after another.'

'You're a good dancer,' he acknowledged as he took two glasses off the waiter and handed her one, 'I like the slow dances you should probably get up close to me, show him that it's me you want,' his gaze teased hers. 'I want to see your sexy dance, Harry cos after eleven months we'd have to have all that going on.'

'Would we,' she responded feeling definitely off centre.

'Yeah, we'd be comfortable with each other sexually,' his arm went around her waist and pulled her closer. 'By now I'd know which moves of mine you like and you'd know how to please me.'

'Glad to know I wouldn't have disappointed you, James,' she responded dryly. 'This isn't real you know; we're pretending.'

'I'm not,' he kissed her temple, 'I'm in it for the win,' he could see that rattled her. 'I like the idea of you being my girl, thanks for suggesting it.'

'Dempsey you're being an absolute bastard,' she hissed at him.

'Now that's not true Harry, I suppose you could always dump me but that wouldn't look too good cos Masters would then think he'd got every chance with you. Those offices are sound proofed so no-one's gonna hear your ecstatic sighs.'

'If I wasn't in this situation, I think I'd hit you,' she said to him whilst smiling in a sweet way. 'I might have known you'd take advantage of the situation.

'Nah, I'll protect you honey, I've got your back like always,' he leant down and kissed her gently, 'if I told you what you do to me…

'Not here,' she whispered as she didn't want that kind of heat coming her way when she was trying to work her way out of this.

'Later then,' he growled as he guided her to the dance floor as a slow number came on.

-oOo—

Harry searched for her keys in her evening bag and then sighed with frustration when Dempsey opened the door for her with his set. She'd given him a set of keys to stop him breaking in and camping at the bottom of her bed.

'I should take those back; you don't need them anymore as we're not operationally dependent on each other.'

'Well, if I had given them back, you'd currently be locked out,' he entered the property without by or leave from the blonde. 'It ain't like you to forget your keys this whole thing with the Commissioner seems to be distracting you.' He walked over to her fridge and got out a bottle of wine and uncorked it.

'Make yourself at home,' Harry said sarcastically, as she kicked off her shoes. 'I don't appreciate you winding me up this evening you were supposed to be helping me out not using the situation to get your hands on me.'

'Now to be fair it wasn't my hands, my hands stayed exactly where they should, the lips got a bit of action though,' a smile played about his mouth. 'I like kissing you, I've wanted to kiss you for a very long time.'

'Oh, shut up, James,' she sank down into the couch as he handed her a glass of wine. 'Do you think Masters was convinced about the two of us?' She frowned as she thought about the situation.

'Yeah, I think I was convincing enough,' Dempsey responded in a self-deprecating manner. 'Guys can recognise the signs when they see a fellow traveller caught in the web of female fascination.'

'And you think he wants me?' Harry looked over at James and could see that he was annoyed at her attention being focussed on her boss.

'Yeah, I'm sure of it but screw him I'm talking about me, I want you so let's talk about that.'

Harry took a sip of her wine. 'I'd rather not talk about that Dempsey because you've wanted me since day one of our relationship but then you've wanted a lot of women during that time, so I don't feel particularly special.'

'Well, you should,' he came over and sat beside her, 'cos you're the one I want the most, so you are kind of special.' He picked up her hand and played with her fingers, 'what do you think? Do you think we could make a go of it?'

'That's not funny, James.' She pulled her hand away, 'I don't appreciate your sense of humour and I can't understand why you would pull a stunt like this. I'm in a difficult situation and you're making it worse.'

'I'm not trying to score points you stupid broad I'm serious here,' his temper had ratcheted up with the way she'd dismissed his feelings. 'I miss you and I want to be with you and I'm not just winding you up, I mean it.'

'You're serious,' her blue eyes questioned his and she swallowed hard. 'I see. I don't know what to say, you're one of my best friends… I don't want to lose that relationship.'

'Well, that's not what I want so I guess you have lost that cos that ship has sailed and it's far, far out to sea by now.'

'You don't think I've got enough on my plate currently,' she looked rather cross at the affrontery of James declaring himself as she was defending her occupational role.

'I'm sorry sweetheart, I didn't realise that telling you how I felt was going to upset your evening,' he glared at her and felt a certain amount of resentment.

Harry realised she'd put her foot in it and she gave a soft groan, 'I don't want to lose your friendship James, it means a lot to me.' Her blue gaze searched his and she could see that he was driven by strong emotion. 'As to anything else, I never thought for one moment that you felt that way about me. I genuinely believed I was one of the boys….

'You got to be kidding me, one of the boys? Harry, you're a walking heart attack, you think I never noticed that plus the fact I genuinely like you better than anyone else so putting those two things together, you got me.'

'I seem to have,' she agreed looking rather unsettled. 'I need to think about this,' she got up and put her wine on the kitchen counter.

James followed her and came up close tipping up her chin to search her gaze, 'c'mon honey you know you have feelings for me too, it's just you're kind of more cautious about taking the risk. If you weren't we'd be old marrieds by now?' His mouth brushed hers and then his lips became firmer and the kiss became hot and steamy.

Harry felt like she'd drifted into a parallel universe where the world was turned on its axis, she opened her eyes as he broke the kiss and looked up at him feeling rather bewildered. 'I wasn't expecting this,' she said softly, 'I'm not sure what to say.'

'You don't have to say nothing,' his mouth returned to hers and the passionate demand was overt he wasn't hiding a thing. He could feel her resolve weakening as her arms circled his neck and he pulled her closer to his hard frame.

'We shouldn't be doing this,' she whispered as he slid down the zipper of her dress, 'we are absolute opposites, how could this possibly work.'

'I'm about to show you,' he growled, 'don't they say opposites attract,' his mouth trailed down her throat and settled on a spot that turned her body into goo. He pushed the dress off her shoulders, and his breath caught in his throat cos she wasn't wearing a bra and just had this strip of a lace string on with the stockings, 'oh baby,' he groaned, 'the last thing I want is to be your friend.' He swung her up into his arms and made for the bedroom.

-oOo—